African dagger for I.D.

Martin Lubojacky · 1st September 2013, 06:06 PM

Hi Colin and Iain,

I have never seen such dagger before. Nevertheless, the decoration on the blade reminds me Dadia, Tula, Fali, Movu..... And the iron safeguard is like on the Mandara mountains (kapsiki ?) swords. So I would also say Cameroon, province de l´Extreme-Nord.
Maybe it could be important piece of collection of sahel daggers, as I said, I have never seen such variety before.
Regards,

Martin

Gavin Nugent · 1st September 2013, 06:41 PM

A fine and interesting piece, congrats.

The style reminds me of the bronze Celtic anthropomorphic & antenna hilted daggers and swords.

Gavin

Iain · 1st September 2013, 07:14 PM

Neat to hear this might be a rare one. Some of the more typical Mandara region pieces have a similar "celtic" look Gav.

I find it quite attractive.

The closest thing to this dagger I can recall is a piece of Wolf's, which I'm sure he won't mind if I link to his site.

http://www.africanarms.com/all-album...4101-93246784/

http://www.africanarms.com/all-album...38/mode/matrix

Gavin Nugent · 1st September 2013, 07:31 PM

Great links Iain.

When you see this design element in these weapons one has to ask why the similarities.

Gavin

Iain · 1st September 2013, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwordsAntiqueWeapons

Great links Iain.

When you see this design element in these weapons one has to ask why the similarities.

Gavin

I've always understood it to be entirely coincidental, these are shapes fairly easy to arrive at with forge work, the spirals derived from bending the bar of material around.

There's been similar comments around any short Congo sword with a wooden handle (Romans!), or the "crusader" kaskaras. While it's always fun to speculate, history is usually a little more mundane I think.

Wodimi · 2nd September 2013, 01:07 AM

Hi Colin,
it's a real nice example from the Jos Plateau in Nigeria. Such daggers are from the Ron, but I'm sure their neigbours have them too.
Attached also a map where they are located.
Best
Wolf

Iain · 2nd September 2013, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wodimi

Hi Colin,
it's a real nice example from the Jos Plateau in Nigeria. Such daggers are from the Ron, but I'm sure their neigbours have them too.
Attached also a map where they are located.
Best
Wolf

Very interesting Wolf, somehow I knew you would have the answer.

2nd September 2013, 01:07 AM	#6
Wodimi Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 75	Hi Colin, it's a real nice example from the Jos Plateau in Nigeria. Such daggers are from the Ron, but I'm sure their neigbours have them too. Attached also a map where they are located. Best Wolf Attached Images

1st September 2013, 06:06 PM	#1
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Hi Colin and Iain, I have never seen such dagger before. Nevertheless, the decoration on the blade reminds me Dadia, Tula, Fali, Movu..... And the iron safeguard is like on the Mandara mountains (kapsiki ?) swords. So I would also say Cameroon, province de l´Extreme-Nord. Maybe it could be important piece of collection of sahel daggers, as I said, I have never seen such variety before. Regards, Martin

1st September 2013, 06:41 PM	#2
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	A fine and interesting piece, congrats. The style reminds me of the bronze Celtic anthropomorphic & antenna hilted daggers and swords. Gavin

1st September 2013, 07:14 PM	#3
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	Neat to hear this might be a rare one. Some of the more typical Mandara region pieces have a similar "celtic" look Gav. I find it quite attractive. The closest thing to this dagger I can recall is a piece of Wolf's, which I'm sure he won't mind if I link to his site. http://www.africanarms.com/all-album...4101-93246784/ http://www.africanarms.com/all-album...38/mode/matrix

1st September 2013, 07:31 PM	#4
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Great links Iain. When you see this design element in these weapons one has to ask why the similarities. Gavin